Suicide 'Plan' Results in Murder and Aiding Suicide Charges

Suicide 'Plan' Results in Murder and Aiding Suicide Charges

by Kevin Caruso

April 14, 2008

Ronald Andrew Newman, 22, of Conroe Texas, is charged with murder and aiding suicide in the death of James Sheets, 31, a homeless man.

James Sheets was suicidal and wanted to buy a gun to kill himself, but because he was a convicted felon, he was unable to purchase a firearm. So he asked a friend, Ronald Newman, to purchase a gun for him. Newman obliged and the two went to a pawn shop and purchased a .22-caliber rifle.

After purchasing the rifle, the two hid it in the woods and walked to a nearby store to purchase ammunition and a gun cleaning kit. They then went to another store to buy a notepad and pen.

Sheets used the paper to write down the names and phone numbers of people he wanted Newman to contact after he was found dead.

Sheets also gave Newman his personal property.

The two then went back to the woods, cleaned the gun, and Sheets prepared to kill himself. But he was unable to pull the trigger so he asked Newman for help. Newman then shot Sheets in the head.

Newman later called the police and said his gun was stolen, but he quickly changed his story and said that he knew who had the gun and believed that person may have killed himself. Newman took officers to the body and eventually confessed to pulling the trigger.

A suicide plan is NEVER a good plan. The ONLY good plan is the one that GETS HELP for the person who is suicidal.

If someone ever asks you to help them die by suicide, help them to get help instead. Call the police, bring them to an emergency room, get them into counseling, and involve as many additional people to help them out as possible…and always remind them that suicide is NEVER the answer.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.

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